Embroidery frame guides for sewing machines



www

Sept. 8, 1959 v E. BROEDNER 2,902,956

EMBROIDERY FRAME GUIDES FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Dec. l1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 8, 1959 E. BROEDNER EMBRQIDERY FRAME GUIDES Foa SEWING 'MACHINES Filed Dec. l1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor: @PA/J7' fafa/w? W A f/vr '2,902,956 1C@ Patented Sept 8 1959 EMBRGIDERY FRAME GUIDES FOR SEWING MACHINES Ernst Broedner, Hoherge Ueber Bielefeld, Germany, assignor to Phoenix-Naehmaschinen A.G., Baer & Rempel, Bielefeld, Germany Application December 11, 1957, Serial No. 702,073

5 Claims. (Cl. 112103) The present invention relates to zig-zag sewing machines and is particularly concerned with embroidery frame guides of the type having a guide element adapted to `follow a pattern on a pattern frame for producing cross-over at stitch embroidery work.

For zig-zag sewing machines for the production of nat-stitch embroidery, an embroidery frame guide is known which is movable by means of a guide manipulator in two directions at right angles to each other. A device of this type is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,806,440. In embroidery frame guides of this kind, it is also known to use additionally an adjusting member the., operation of which serves the purpose of effecting an adjustment of the stitch width when ilat-stitch embroidery is carried out. The disadvantage of these known embroidery frame guides is that there is no possibility of positive supervision of the stitch width adjustment required at any particular time. Positive adjustment of the stitch width at any given time is,` however, a prerequisite for obtaining a correspondingly clean stitch pattern.

`It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of, and means for, obviating disadvantages of the type mentioned above and, in addition, to enable them to be overcome by a very simple device which can also be fitted subsequently to any desired zig-zag sewing machine, for example of the type covered by U.S. Patent No. 2,014,916 to Tiesler.

In accordance with the invention, a method of producing flat-stitch'embroidery work with a non-uniform cross-over stitch width by means of a zig-zag sewing machine, using an embroidery frame guide controlled by `a pantograph, is characterized in that the guide means of the pantograph follows not only a first curve shape of a pattern having cut-outs or projections, but also a corresponding second curve shape determining the crossover stitch width and in accordance with the difference between the first and second curve shapes thus followed controls'not only the position of the embroidery eld but also the cross-over stitch width of the sewing machine.

According to another feature of the invention, an embroidery frame guide for zig-Zag sewing machines for producing flat-stitch embroidery work, in which the embroidery frame is movable by means of a guide manipulator in two directions at right angles to each other, and has a connection to a lever situated on the sewing machine and serving for the adjustment of the stitch width, comprises an adjusting Vmember provided on a guide element which is connected to the embroidery frame and is to be guided along a pattern, said adjusting member being operatively connected to the stitch-width lever through appropriate transmission means.

It is, therefore, another object of the invention to provide not only for the embroidery frame to be connected to a guide element which can be guided along a pattern but, to provide in addition to the said guide element, an adjusting member which is connected tothe stitch-width lever of the sewing machine through appropriate transmission means.

The adjusting member can be constructed as a guide device mounted rockably on the guide element. On movement of the guide element by hand, the sewing machine operator can thus simultaneously with the same hand cause the desired adjustment of the guide device at the guide element to be carried out and thus vary the stitch width as desired. The guide device and the guide element advantageously merge, at their outer ends, into feeler points which can be guided along the outlines of the particular pattern, whereby the stitch-width adjustment corresponding to the pattern figure at any given time is automatically obtained. It is particularly advantageous for the pattern figure to be produced by cut-outs in, or projections on, a pattern plate, so that the feeler points of the guide element and of the adjust-` ing member or guide device can slide along the edges of such cut-outs or projections. The positive guidance of the feeler points along the edges of the patterns can be promoted if the guide element with its extension, and similarly the adjusting member or guide device with an appertaining extension, are constructed scissors-fashion and the respective extensions are subjected to the action of a compression spring.

The transmission of the movement of the adjusting member or guide device to the stitch-width lever is advantageously effected through a Bowden cable arrangement. The said compression spring may under these cir cumstances be provided at one end ofthe Bowden cable around the core thereof in order always to spread the guide element and adjusting member apart, while a second compression spring may be disposed at the other end of the Bowden cable in order to keep the Bowden cable core as a whole under tension.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 comprises a plan View of such embodiment with parts of the sewing machine,

Figure 2 a front elevation of Figure 1 including a section of the plate taken along line II-II in Fig. l,

Figure 3 a side View, and

Figure 4 a pattern ligure shown on an enlarged scale.

In Figures l to 3, showing an arrangement suitable for operation according to the method referred to, the material-carrying plate 1 of the sewing machine has a guide or reference plate 2 secured on it by means of a screw 3. If desired, an additional connection (not shown) of the said reference plate 2 to the materialcarrying plate 1`can be effected through one of the screw holes for conventional appliances. The links 7 and 8 are mounted on the reference plate 2 by means of the screws 5 and 6 and are in turn also pivotally connected to an angular member 11 by means of the screws 9 and 10. A further pair of links 12, 13 connects the angular member 11 pivotally to a guide bar 18 by means of the screws 14, 15 and 16, 17. The arrangement described forms a pantograph structure as will be understood. The said guide bar 18 merges at one end into the embroidery frame 19, into which the embroidery ring 19a is adapted to be resiliently inserted in the usual manner for the purpose of clamping the material in position. At the other' end of the guide bar 18, a guide element or pin 21 is fastened by means of a rivetr20. On the other hand, the pattern plate 30 is secured to the reference plate 2. The embroidery frame 19 is thus movable, by means of the guide element 21 and by way of the guide bar 18, with respect to the pattern plate 30 which is disposed to be stationary with the reference plate 2.

The extension 21', of the guide element 21, beyond the rivet 20 terminates at one end of a Bowden cable sleeve 23 which, at the other end, is secured to the sewing machine arm 25 by the angle strap 24.

The Bowden cable core 23a, situated in the Bowden cable sleeve 23, is secured at one end to the conventional stitch-width lever 26, while its other end is fastened to a rod 27 which is rockable about the rivet 20 and constitutes an extension of an adjusting member 21a. This adjusting member 21a is accordingly constructed in the form of a guide device (suitably similar to the guide element or pin 21). The feeler points 28 and 28 of 21 and 21a can bear against the inner walls of a pattern cut-out 29 in the pattern plate 36.

Intermediate the rod or extension 27 and the extension 21 of the guide element 21, a compression spring 31 is disposed around the core 23a of the Bowden cable and thus forces the rod 27 and the extension 21' of the guide element 21 apart scissors-fashion. Moreover, a further compression spring 32 is provided, likewise around the Bowden cable core 23a, between the end of the Bowden cable sleeve 23 on the angle strap 24 and the stitch-width lever 26. The tension of the compression spring 32 is advantageously less than that of the compression spring 31. While the object of the compression spring 31 is to force the extension 27 of the guide device 21a and the extension 21 of the guide element 21 apart under spring tension, the compression spring 32 serves to keep the Bowden cable core 23a in its sleeve 23 under tension.

lt is believed that the operation of the embroidery frame guide thus described will be understood without further explanation.

This embroidery frame guide can be fitted without diiiiculty to any zig-zag sewing machine. It is only necessary for the stitch-width lever 26 to have a hole made in it for fastening one end of the Bowden cable core 23a to it. In addition, the angle strap 24 would be fastened on the sewing machine arm 25, suitably by means of a screw connection 24a.

Having now described my invention with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, I do not wish to be limited thereto but what I desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States of America is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An embroidery frame and guiding device for use in combination with a Zig-Zag sewing machine of the type adapted to produce at-stitch embroidery work and having a base and a stitch width adjusting lever, said device comprising an embroidery frame, a'guided support for s aidV frame adapted to be movably mounted on the base of the machine and pivoted links including at least one between said frame and said support and one link between said support and said base permitting movement of said frame in two directions at right angles to each other, a stationary pattern frame adapted to be mounted adjacent said base, a guide member connected to and movable with said embroidery frame and adapted to follow a pattern on said pattern frame and correspondingly guide said embroidery frame, and stitch width adjusting means having a connection with said guide member and adapted to be operatively connected to said stitch width adjusting lever and extending intermediate said lever and said guide member and having a follower member operatively related to said pattern and adapted to move said adjusting lever.

2. An embroidery frame and guiding device for use in combination with a zig-zag sewing machine of the type adapted to produce flat-stitch embroidery work and having a base and a stitch width adjusting lever, said device comprising an embroidery frame, a guided support for said frame adapted to be movably mounted on the base of the machine and pivoted links including at least one link between said frame and said support and one link between said support and said base permitting movement of said frame'in two directions at right angles to each other, a stationary pattern frame adapted to be mounted adjacent said base, a guide member connected to and movable with said embroidery frame and adapted to follow a pattern on said pattern frame and correspondingly guide said embroidery frame, and stitch width adjusting means having a connection with said guide member and adapted to be operatively connected to said stitch width adjusting lever and extending intermediate said lever and said guide member and having a follower member operatively related to said pattern and adapted to move said adjusting lever, said stitch width adjusting means being rockably connected to said guide member in a manner permittingadjustment of the stitch width while said guide member is manually moved along the pattern.

3. An embroidery frame and guiding device for use in combination with a zig-zag sewing machine of the type adapted to produce flat-stitch embroidery work and having a base and a stitch width adjusting lever, said device comprising an embroidery frame, a guided support for said frame adapted to be movably mounted on the base of the machine and pivoted links including at least one link between said frame and said support and one link between said support and said base permitting movement of said frame in two directions at right angles to each other, a stationary pattern frame adapted to be mounted adjacent said base, a guide member connected to and movable with said embroidery frame and adapted to follow a pattern on said pattern frame and correspondingly guide said embroidery frame, and stitch width adjusting means having a connection with said guide member and adapted to be operatively connected to said stitch width adjusting lever and extending intermediate said lever and said guide member and having a follower member operatively related to said pattern and adapted to move said adjusting lever, said stitch width adjusting means being rockably connected to said guide member at a pivot joint and said follower member extending from said pivot joint to the pattern frame.

4. An embroidery frame and guiding device for use in combination with a zig-zag sewing machine of the type adapted to produce hat-stitch embroidery work and having a base and a stitch width adjusting lever, said device comprising an embroidery frame, a guided support for said frame adapted to be movably mounted on the base of the machine and pivoted links including at least one link between said frame and said support and one link between Said support and said base permitting movement of said frame in two directions at right angles to each other, a stationary pattern frame adapted to be mounted adjacent said base, a guide member connected to and movable with said embroidery frame and adapted to follow a pattern on said pattern frame and correspondingly guide said embroidery frame, and stitch width adjusting means having a connection with said guide member and adapted to be operatively connected to said stitch width adjusting lever and extending intermediate said lever and said guide member and having a follower member operatively related to said pattern and adapted to move said adjusting lever, said stitch width adjusting means being rockably connected to said guide member at a pivot joint and said follower member extending from said pivot joint to the pattern frame, and said guide member and said adjusting means having lever arms extending from said guide element and from said follower member beyond said pivot joint in crossed over scissors fashion and a spring extending between said arms forcing them apart.

5. An embroidery frame and guiding device for use in combination with a zig-zag sewing machine of the type adapted to produce flat-stitch embroidery work and having a base and a stitch width adjusting lever, said device comprising an embroidery frame, a guided support for said frame adapted to be movably mounted on the base of the machine and pivoted links including at least one link between said frame and said support and one link between said support and said base permitting movement of said frame in two directions at right angles to each other, a stationary pattern frame adapted to be mounted adjacent said base, a guide member connected to and movable with said embroidery frame and adapted to follow a pattern on said pattern frame and correspondingly guide said embroidery frame, and stitch width adjusting means having a connection with said guide member and adapted to be operatively connected to said stitch width adjusting lever and extending intermediate said lever and said guide member and having a follower member operatively related to said pattern and adapted to move said adjusting lever, said stitch width adjusting means being rockably connected to said guide member at a pivot joint and said follower member extending from said pivot joint to the pattern frame, and said guide member and said adjusting means having lever arms extending from said 15 guide element and from said follower member beyond said pivot joint in crossed over scissors fashion and a spring extending between said arms forcing them apart,

said stitch width adjusting means including a Bowden cable having a core and a sleeve, one connected at one end of said Bowden cable to the lever arm of said guide member and the other to the lever arm of said adjusting means, a support member adapted to be mounted on the machine adjacent said stitch width adjusting lever supporting the other end of said Bowden cable with said sleeve connected to said support member and said core adapted to be connected to said stitch width adjusting lever, and a compression spring adapted to be mounted between said support member and said adjusting lever.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,581,109 Kenngott Ian. 1, 1952 2,597,686 Turner et al. May 20, 1952 2,806,440 Schenkengel Sept. 17, 1957 

